New Release Feature: Undercover Siren by author Ellen Mint

I am pleased to announce a great book release by Ellen Mint, an author I met during my journey! Her new romantic suspense, Undercover Siren, officially released last month!

Yay! That’s awesome! Congrats on your new release!

When a new book comes out, it’s always an exciting time for an author!

Ellen is giving us a look at her romantic suspense, Undercover Siren, today.

Great cover!

This is the blurb for Undercover Siren:

He was only supposed to be a job. Why can’t she walk away?
Colton Davies, an ex-Marine turned cop, stumbles across a damsel in distress while working the beat and rushes to her aid. Unbeknownst to him, Kristen Trevelyan isn’t an old classmate who accidentally locked her keys in the car, but a spy working for a classified agency. She’s tasked with getting close to the police officer, but she never anticipated how close they’d become.
Action, adventure, dangerous gun battles, sizzling romance scenes, tender words of affection, and more await you in Undercover Siren.

Here is an excerpt to entice you with!

Colton snapped off the radio and tumbled back into his seat. From God-awful love songs to burnt corpses, oh and dragging her into a rainstorm. He was a real pro at dating, as she could no doubt tell. Glaring out the windshield, watching the bounce of rain pinging off the rusted hood, Colton kept whipping himself for things beyond his control. He was so far gone, it wasn’t until her hand shifted higher up his arm that he realized Kristen was touching him.

Twisting his head towards her, he found those dazzling eyes burning directly into his. She stared at him as if…as if she couldn’t see anyone else. As if she’d never seen anyone else. Soft pink lips glistened with fresh rain, parting like she yearned for a drink. Colton dove towards her, his mouth puckering up just before it plunged against hers. Warmth erupted down his spine, the woman melting from his kiss. He let go of the arguing in his brain to fall into this moment. Fingers lifted off his arm to thread through his hair, gently guiding him deeper into her trap.

He was greedy to fall into it, their first kiss turning hotter than he’d ever have expected. Kristen tipped her head, her tongue darting up and down his scar before she tugged his bottom lip deep into hers. The nibble was little more than a whisper, but it broke down a wall inside Colton and a moan escaped from his throat.

Sliding back as if to catch her breath, those dazzling eyes darted up to his. The bliss of touching her dilated his pupils so much he had to blink a moment. As she focused into view, her cheeks bright from a flush and cleavage beaded in droplets, there was no denying how badly he wanted to take this further.

How in God’s name did he do that?

“You’re so…” he mumbled, his tongue clogging in his mouth as the words all stuck together, “pradortty.”

“Pradortty?” her eyebrow lifted in surprise, but a smile stretched across her lips. The ones that tasted of hunger and the thrill of the run.

“I, uh…” Colton absently wiped the back of his neck.

“Is that some kind of word only you people in Sky City use?”

“Ye…yes,” he sputtered out. “It means, it means a very beautiful woman.”

The blush burned brighter on her cheeks and she turned to stare at the dashboard. “Oh. Well, you’re handorablesome.”

Colton chuckled at her catching him, but with a grateful nod said, “Thank you.”

Her sparkling eyes darted around the truck, seeming to take in the state of it before landing upon the clutch. “This is a stick? You can drive a stick?”

“Sure,” he shrugged, “I’m from the country. Who couldn’t back in Winterset?”

“Right, right, just…surprised to see one here in the city,” she smiled. “Isn’t it hell on stop and go traffic?”

“Not if you’re good,” Colton said without a thought before wincing. “Did you never learn?” It seemed odd to the man who cut his teeth on tractors, but not everyone was a farmer. There had to be townies in a town after all.

“A little,” Kristen admitted, “but I’m happy with my automatic. When I don’t lock myself out anyway.”

“Until a helpful policeman comes along,” Colton said as if he had nothing to do with it. She smiled sweetly at him, but silence threaded through the cab. Only the bounce of rain thudding into the metal over their heads filled the air. All the unsaid words grew thicker than the humidity, both people staring at each other not knowing what to do next.

He could take her back into the bar. To talk more. Or have another drink. It was getting kinda late. Maybe he should offer to take her home. Or that they wait out the rain here. She could snuggle up next to him and…

“Colton?” Kristen whispered, her eyes darting up to him, “do you want to get coffee?”

“Uh…sure,” he spat out, his brain trying to rack up what place would be open this late aside from a fast food joint.

Her ravenous smile nearly knocked him over, when she shrugged. “I’d say we could go back to my place but I’m all out of filters, and grounds, and a coffee God.” Slowly, her fingers cupped against his knee and worried their way up the wet jeans clinging to his thigh. He blinked at her, his brain-jarring apart as it tried to piece together what she was asking. Or telling him. Saying that she wanted.

Sweet God.

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079QZPN5V

Scorching! Gotta love this sneak peek. ♥♥♥

 

What are people saying about this book?

“I am so happy that Ellen Mint wrote this amazing page turner. This book will keep your eyes glued to the pages.” —Penny L, Amazon

“This story reads like an action movie, gripping you from the very first page as Kristen tries to get close to Colton. It takes you on this amazing emotional roller coaster ride where you can’t wait for the next thing to happen in the story!” —Merry Jelks, Amazon

“The well written story line pulled me in right from the very first page, and the interaction and chemistry between Kristen and Colton kept me totally glued to my kindle until the turn of the very last page!” —Pat W, Amazon

 

Awesome!

Thank you for telling us about your new book! It looks great! 🙂

Readers, don’t forget to pick up a copy of this riveting book! Or add it to your Goodreads bookshelf!

Author Bio

Ellen Mint adores the adorkable heroes who charm with their shy smiles and heroines that pack a punch. She recently won the Top Ten Handmaid’s Challenge on Wattpad where hers was chosen by Margaret Atwood herself. Along with her husband and black lab, she spends a lot of time with her skeletons — don’t worry, they’re just Halloween props.

Author Links

Website:  http://blablover5.wixsite.com/sezbasnik

http://www.dwarvesinspace.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sezbasnik

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/introvertedwife

Amazon author page:  https://www.amazon.com/Ellen-Mint/e/B07B44TK45/

https://www.amazon.com/S.-E.-Zbasnik/e/B00UG9UBOK/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17700737.Ellen_Mint

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8088107.S_E_Zbasnik

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5049373.Sabrina_Zbasnik

 

Thanks again, Ellen! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!🙂

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Blog Tour Feature: Love at Solace Lake Series by Jana Richards

✫✶• NEW RELEASE•✫✶

 

No matter how deeply buried, secrets rise to the surface.

I am pleased to announce a cool book blog tour going on right now, presented by Jana Richards, an author I met during my journey! Congratulations on your new contemporary romance release!

When a new book comes out, it is always an exciting time for authors!

Plus, here at the I Love Romance Blog, we love discovering new romance novels!

Let’s hear a little about this series…

Such great covers!

This is the blurb for Secrets and Solace:

No matter how deeply buried, secrets rise to the surface.

Scarlett Lindquist has agreed to help her sisters rebuild the dilapidated fishing lodge in Minnesota they inherited from their grandparents. Although the lengthy restoration is bringing the three sisters closer together, Scarlett’s support is temporary. Her leave of absence from her job in Chicago is temporary and she has no intention of staying at Solace Lake Lodge, where the lake holds dark secrets. When frightening childhood memories resurface, they are tempered by her fascination with an irritating contractor. If only she could trust her feelings for him. If only he could trust her.

Cameron Hainstock meets Scarlett at his brother’s wedding to her sister and their attraction is instantaneous. But Cam avoids the beautiful marketing executive. All his efforts are aimed at battling for custody of his only child. When the unimaginable happens and Cam faces the biggest challenge of his life, he’s reluctant to accept help to halt his downward spiral. Can they learn to trust each other and fight for a future together, or will they go their separate ways?

Book Info:

Genre: Contemporary Romance, small town romance

Keywords: contemporary romance, small town romance, mystery, touch of paranormal, murder

Length: Novel

Heat Level: Spicy, fully described love scenes

Release Date: March 21, 2018

Cover Artist: Angela Waters

Jana is giving us a peek at her modern romance with a touch of paranormal mystery, Secrets and Solace, today.

The shock on Scarlet’s face, the disbelief and grief, made him wish he’d kept his mouth shut. The last thing he wanted was to inflict her with the same hell he was going through. He turned away from her, pushing her hand from his arm. “Go home, Scarlet.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” She grabbed his arm again, preventing him from picking up the axe, the tool he’d used to keep himself from reaching for a bottle. “I won’t leave you alone.”

Ignoring the sweat and dirt, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly, resting her head against his chest. His body stirred to life at her touch, disgusting him. His world was crumbling around him and all he could think was that he wanted to bury himself inside her until she screamed his name.

“Go,” he said roughly. If she was smart, she’d run away and never look back. He was a bad-tempered, recovering alcoholic with nothing to offer her. He wasn’t worth the risk.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes clear and steady. “No. I won’t leave you.”

He pushed her up against the wall of the workshop, not sure if he was trying scare her away or make her stay. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

She shook her head. “You won’t.”

Cam closed his eyes and groaned. He wrapped his arms around her in a vice-like grip, unable to resist her any longer.

God, he needed her.

He lowered his head and kissed her. There was no subtlety in the kiss, no gentleness or finesse. Only passion and raw need. But she stayed with him, returning his passion, giving solace. He greedily lapped it up, taking everything she had to give.

But he wanted, needed more. He lifted her and she wrapped her long, slender legs around his waist. He buried his face against her soft, sweet-smelling neck, inhaling her clean, floral scent. At the same time, he snaked his hand up her thigh and began to pull down her panties.

“Tell me to stop,” he rasped. “Tell me now while I still can.”

Wow! Fanning myself over here!

And here are some teasers to entice you with.

Purchase Links:

Book 1 – Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079TDDSY4

Book 2 – Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079WGSNWD

Book 3 (preorder) – Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079WFZXV2

 

Love the tension here. ♥♥♥

Let’s learn a little more about the Love at Solace Lake Series…

Love is worth the risk…

When their grandfather dies, the Lindquist sisters, Harper, Scarlet and Maggie, inherit the northern Minnesota fishing lodge that had been in their family for three generations. The inheritance is bittersweet. They were raised at the lodge by their grandparents. The natural beauty of the place hasn’t changed, but the building itself is crumbling and desperately in need of repair. The lodge also reminds them of what they lost. Twenty-two years previously, their parents died there in what was ruled a murder/suicide.

As the sisters struggle to breathe new life into the failing lodge, old fears and questions rise to the surface even as new love presents itself. Why did their father murder their mother? What truths did their grandparents keep from them? The sisters must fight to keep the wounds of the past from putting their futures, and their fledgling relationships, in jeopardy.

 

Plus, Jana is giving away some wonderful prizes during this tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below for your chance win Ebook First and Again, Ebook There Goes the Groom, Ebook A Long Way from Eden, $10 Amazon gift card, or $5 Amazon gift card. Remember, you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 

☆.•°☆ RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY ☆°•.☆

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/801c221b30/

 

Thank you for telling us about your new steamy romance, Jana! I know I can’t wait to read this sexy series! 🙂

Readers, don’t forget to pick up a copy of this awesome book! Also, grab book one and pre-order book three of the trilogy!

Author Bio

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense, Seeing Things, was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website.

Author Links

Website:  http://www.janarichards.com

Blog:  http://janarichards.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/100820406211390323245

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

 

Newsletter Sign-up:  http://bit.ly/2DEI8m3

 

Thank you for telling us about your awesome book tour! I know readers can’t wait to get ahold of this delicious and mysterious romance series!

And don’t forget to enter the cool giveaway!

Thanks again to Jana and her blog tour sponsor!

We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!  ♥♥♥

New Release Feature: Never Retreat by author Bonnie McCune

I am pleased to announce a great book release by Bonnie McCune, an author I met during my journey! Her new clean contemporary romance with a touch of suspense, Never Retreat, officially released last week!

Yay! That’s awesome! Congrats on your new release!

When a new book comes out, it’s always an exciting time for an author!

Bonnie is giving us a look at her suspenseful, inspirational romance, Never Retreat, today.

Nice cover!

This is the blurb for Never Retreat:

A feisty single mom clashes with an ex-military, macho corporate star at a business retreat in the wild Colorado mountains, where only one can win a huge prize. But when a massive flood imperils their love and survival, they learn the meaning of true partnership.

Years ago, Ramona (‘Raye”) Soto faced harsh reality when a roving con man knocked her up. Now at thirty-something, she’s concentrating on her career in a major telecommunications firm and funding college for her teenaged son. Enter Desmond Emmett—a fast talker and smooth operator. New to the office, the ex-serviceman possesses every negative quality for a guy Raye should avoid. Thrown together at a corporate retreat in the wilderness, the reluctant duo struggles to complete management’s extreme mental and physical tests for a huge reward. But only one can win the prize, and Des needs the money to underwrite medical treatments for his adored younger sister.

See-sawing between attraction and antagonism, the mismatched couple, Raye and Des, face their biggest challenge: learning the meaning of true partnership. When a massive flash flood sweeps down the rocky canyon and threatens their love and survival, they must put aside their difference to rescue their colleagues—and their future as a couple.

Here is an excerpt to entice you with!

“I won!” Raye’s handful of lottery scratch tickets, fanned out on the staff room table in front of her, glowed in a multitude of bright colors. She plucked the one nearest to her. “Forty dollars!”

Julia failed to respond. “He’s gorgeous. Just gorgeous.” Her unfocused eyes and neglect of the bear claw pastry in one limp hand showed how absorbed she was in telling Raye Soto about the new man striding around corporate headquarters in Denver.

“Didn’t you hear me? My winning ticket must be an omen I’ll get a big prize. You know how much I need it to cover Andy’s college. No student loans! Whoo-ee!”

“Not necessarily. You’ll have better odds at happiness if you notice a male hunk in front of your face. You haven’t even had a date in years.”

“Wouldn’t start with a good-looking guy. He’d be the most dangerous type. Anyway, you’ve never won awards for your taste in men,” Raye teased back. Her quick survey of the modest dining area showed no other people on break, so she geared up her joking. “Wasn’t your last crush the barista over at Java Hut? The one who drew your initial with cream on the top of your cappuccino, then pocketed the change you were due? And the one before rode a motorcycle and crashed at least once a month?”

“You’re one to talk!” Julia returned to consciousness, leaning back in her chair and tapping her index finger, this week manicured in turquoise blue with tiny spangles, on the veneer-topped table. “Your ex-, who hardly qualifies as an ex since he was only around for a few months, partied so hard and so often, he forgot to come home at night.”

“Let’s not get into odious comparisons. I got Andy from the experience, and that’s enough for me.” Raye pushed back her chrome-wire chair, stood, and began wrapping the remains of her meal.

“This guy, his name’s Des Emmett, would be perfect for you. If you’d drop the attitude.”

“How old do you figure he is?” I can’t possibly be considering Julia’s suggestion, can I? Raye thought.

“I’d say thirty-six, thirty-eight. He mentioned eight years in the service, and I know from his resume, which passed through my grubby paws when he transferred here, that he has a solid ten years in the corporate world. Most recently, at the highest levels.”

“And he’s not married?” With her free hand, Raye stuffed the winning lottery ticket in her pocket, then grabbed the remainder in a fistful jumble.

“No.”

“Why not? What’s wrong with him? Is he gay? Abusive?”

“Wait a minute,” Julia said. “You’re thirty-four and not married.”

“But I have been.” She considered the super-sized fruit yogurt she now balanced. The treat wasn’t finished yet, so she covered the container to tote to the staff refrigerator. “I admit he’s good-looking. Those ice-blue eyes, the casual dark curls.” In fact, he’s too good-looking. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, she thought.

“Those molded lips, the bottom one a little fuller than the upper. The brooding brow.” Julia gathered her snack leavings, then walked to the refrigerator and leaned against the open door next to Raye to continue. “I think you’re ticked off because he treats you like an employee, not a woman. He shouldn’t be snubbed for that.”

“Absolutely wrong! I learned long ago not to trust charm and good looks. Anyway, why are you pushing him on me? Don’t you want to try your luck?”

Julia looked up at the ceiling tiles. “I haven’t told you, but things are getting serious between me and Eric. We’ve been talking about marriage.”

“Eeek!” Raye’s shriek echoed from inside the refrigerator. She pulled her head out. “That’s wonderful.”

“Nothing’s definite yet, so don’t mention it. I’m entertaining the idea because I hate to see a guy as nice as Eric go to waste. Or get picked off by a sneaky man-eater, like Krystle.”

“I remember two years ago when Krystle got tipsy at the holiday party. She kept rubbing her hands all over Eric, then tried to pull him into the hall for a necking session,”

Julia sniggered. “Fortunately he refused to surrender. That’s when I first guessed I could trust him.”

“Yeah, and he’s been hanging around you ever since,” said Raye. “That’s going somewhere permanent?”

“I sure hope so. The huuuge barrier right now to any kind of development is that car loan my folks took out and now can’t pay. Can’t get married, can’t even move in together because I have to help the family out. Anyway, a more cheerful subject, I first saw the new director of security this morning before he even got in the office. I was walking down the sidewalk past the entrance to the parking garage when he buzzed by on a motorcycle, tall and solid as a soldier. . .”

“A motorcycle!” Raye slammed the refrigerator door closed. “You know how much I hate those. You’re not building a case for my becoming besties with Mr. Desmond Emmett with that bit of information. Smelly, noisy, dangerous machines.”

A stricken look passed over Julia’s face. “I’m so sorry. I totally spaced on what happened to your brother.” Wrapping both arms around her friend, Julia hugged hard, and Raye let her. “You still miss him, don’t you?” Julia whispered.

“Like the devil. Every day. Even though it’s been years. Damn his infatuation with motorcycles! I hear about the Broncos winning, and I think, ‘boy, that’ll make Carlos happy,’ then I remember he’s not here. Or the first snow, I want to run in and wake him up so we can walk in the park, until I remember there’ll be no more times like that. He’ll never know his nephew graduated at the top of the class, or that Dad and Mom both have new romances going.” Raye stepped back after a final squeeze. “Thanks for not hesitating to mention him. That helps. Many people act like he never existed.”

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon link:  http://getBook.at/NeverRetreat

Publisher:  http://www.imajinbooks.com/bonnie-mccune/

Intriguing! Gotta love this sneak peek. ♥♥♥

 

What are people saying about this book?

“A breathtaking page-turner that will leave you exhausted but wanting more!” —Corinne Joy Brown, award-winning author of Hidden Star

“Likable, relatable characters…a real treat!” —Cindi Myers, author of The View from Here

“Intriguing…engaging…A great vacation read for sure!” —Meg Benjamin, author of the Brewing Love Trilogy

“A compelling story about a hard-working single mom who faces adversity head-on, learns from her mistakes, and perseveres.” —Kim McMahill, author of Marked in Mexico

“Few novels operate on such different levels, moving their characters to challenge not just each other, but their own perceptions…McCune provides just the right blend of comic relief, interpersonal encounters, and outside environment changes to make her story a powerful blend.”—Midwest Book Review

Awesome!

Thank you for telling us about your new book! It looks great! 🙂

Readers, don’t forget to pick up a copy of this riveting book! Or add it to your Goodreads bookshelf!

Author Bio

Bonnie McCune has been writing since age ten, when she submitted a poem about rain rushing down the gutter to the Saturday Evening Post (it was immediately rejected). This interest facilitated her career in nonprofits, doing public and community relations and marketing. She’s worked for libraries, directed a small arts organization, and managed Denver’s beautification program.

Simultaneously, she’s been a freelance writer with publications in local, regional, and specialty publications for news and features. Her civic involvement includes grass-roots organizations, political campaigns, writers’ and arts’ groups, and children’s literacy. For years, she entered recipe contests and was a finalist once to the Pillsbury Bake Off. A special love is live theater. Had she been nine inches taller and thirty pounds lighter, she might have been an actress.

Her true passion is fiction, and her pieces have won several awards. Never Retreat is her third novel and her fifth book of fiction. For reasons unknown (an unacknowledged optimism?), she believes one person can make a difference in this world.

Author Links

Website:  www.BonnieMcCune.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/authorBonnieMcCune

Twitter:  twitter.com/bonniemccune

Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/2DE5dW1

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6436876.Bonnie_McCune

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/117106546075845481531

https://plus.google.com/u/0/111883621680717398231

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/BonnieMcCune

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bonniemccune/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/bonniebmccune/

Publisher:  http://www.imajinbooks.com/bonnie-mccune/

 

Thanks again, Bonnie! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!🙂

Blog Tour Feature: Vegas Gambler by Adriana Kraft

✫✶• NEW RELEASE•✫✶

 

Can Jack Hawthorne keep up with two women? How will he protect his heart?

I am pleased to announce a cool book blog tour going on right now, presented by Adriana Kraft, an author I met during my journey! Congratulations on your new erotic romance release!

When a new book comes out, it is always an exciting time for authors!

Plus, here at the I Love Romance Blog, we love discovering new romance novels!

Let’s hear a little about this great book…

Such a steamy cover!

This is the blurb for Vegas Gambler:

He’s fifty-one; they’re in their twenties. Can Jack Hawthorne keep up with two women? How will he protect his heart?

Fresh with success from a recent stint in a musical on the Las Vegas Strip, Meghan Keenan takes some time off to play with her current flame, Jack Hawthorne, professional poker player. She’s delighted to add her petite masseuse Tia Minh to the mix and even more thrilled when she learns Tia’s relationship with her boyfriend Tony Sanders is on the skids. It’s the perfect challenge!

Tia has different ideas – she thinks Tony would be perfect for Meg, and she conspires to throw them together any way she can.

Ever the gambler, Jack catches on to her game quickly and keeps the ruse going behind Meg’s back. Who knew his heart was up for grabs?

This is a Contemporary Erotic Romance.

Adriana is giving us a peek at her sexy modern romance, Vegas Gambler, today.

Here is an excerpt.

Jack cocked his head to the side. “You sure you won’t stay beyond the summer?”

Meg shook her head. They’d been over this ground before. “You know I need to get back to New York. I need to get on with my life.”

“Sorry I’m such a drag on you.” He gave her a wicked smile. “And you always say my age doesn’t matter.”

“Fifty-one doesn’t make you ancient.”

“I have my days,” Jack said, flipping over a card. “But I know what we have is transitory. Don’t worry about me getting carried away.” He smirked. “But you have been a breath of fresh air for me.”

“Cripes, the way you hang out around poker tables, anyone would provide a breath of fresh air.” Meg smiled and purposely softened her tone. “And you’ve been very good for me, too. I don’t know how I would’ve made it through the hectic pace of the last six months without your steady influence. You’ve always been there, and with few demands.”

“Perhaps,” Jack began wistfully, “I should’ve been more demanding.” He must’ve seen her nostrils flare, because he lifted a hand, forestalling her response. “You’ve renewed my faith in life.” He grinned devilishly. “Even in love.”

And here are some teasers to entice you with.

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B07B2WBSRR

Publisher:  http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1333-0-vegas-gambler/

Wow! Love the tension here. ♥♥♥

 

Plus, Adriana is giving away one free download from the publisher’s website to each of two winners. Winners may select from books One through Four in her Meghan’s Playhouse Series. You can find all series books at this link: http://www.extasybooks.com/meghan-s-playhouse/. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember, you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here. 

☆.•°☆ RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY ☆°•.☆

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/801c221b29/

 

Thank you for telling us about your new erotic romance, Adriana! I know I can’t wait to read this sexy novella! 🙂

Readers, don’t forget to pick up a copy of this awesome book!

Author Bio

Winner of the 2014 Bisexual Book Award for erotic fiction, author Adriana Kraft is a married couple writing Sizzling Romantic Suspense and Erotic Romance for Two, Three, or More.

One man, one woman, danger and intrigue – always a happy ending, but oh, what a ride! Readers can count on our Romantic Suspense line for gutsy characters, hot sex, and breathtaking intimacy as our hero and heroine battle outer threats and inner demons to stay alive and fall in love.

A man, a woman (or two), or another man, threesomes, foursomes—what’s your fantasy? We write our Erotic Romance stories to entertain, of course, but most of all we write them because we believe in happy endings for all who fall in love, whatever their gender, sexual orientation or numerical combination. Here you’ll find multiple partners, three-way, four-way and more, swing lifestyle, lesbian, bisexual, ménage and polyamory, in both contemporary and paranormal settings.

Together we have published over thirty-five romance novels and novellas with outstanding reviews. We love hearing from readers at adrianakraft99@yahoo.com, and here is our website, When It’s Time to Heat Things Up.

Author Links

Website:  http://adrianakraft.com

Blog:  http://www.adrianakraft.com/blog

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Adriana-Kraft-182846025133440/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/AdrianaKraft

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/author/adrianakraft

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1578571.Adriana_Kraft

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/102791537641895264573

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-kraft

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/adrianakraft5/boards/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kraftadriana/

Newsletter Sign-up:  http://eepurl.com/uRvCr

Publisher:  http://www.extasybooks.com/adriana-kraft/

 

Thank you for telling us about your awesome book tour! I know readers can’t wait to get ahold of this delicious romance!

And don’t forget to enter the cool giveaway!

Thanks again to Adriana and her blog tour sponsor!

We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!  ♥♥♥

Book Feature: The Maze Effect – Finding Mr. Right by author Majel Jay

I am pleased to announce a great book by Majel Jay, an author I met during my journey! She’s stopping by to tell us about her awesome modern multicultural romance, The Maze Effect: Finding Mr. Right, which released back in January!

Woo hoo! It’s always fun to discover new authors and books. 😀

Majel is allowing us a look at her cool contemporary romance, The Maze Effect: Finding Mr. Right, today.

Nice cover!

This is the blurb for The Maze Effect: Finding Mr. Right:

Every woman wants the perfect man… or at the very least, a decent man.
“Mr. Right”
How do you find him?
What does he look like?
Is there a formula to know who he is?
Just ask Kimberly Kay Nezda, a successful young diva with a budding career in a big city. She had it all, or so she thought. She had many encounters and was confident she had finally found Mr. Right.
A rich, handsome suitor, the mark of perfection, but did she let him walk “The Maze?”
Was it the perfect love story or the perfect storm?
The Maze Effect is a steamy, riveting short story about dating, sex and falling in love. You’ll be captivated as you read Kimberly’s story of an epic life-changing journey into love and finding Mr. Right.

And here are some excerpts to tease you with.

EXCERPT 1

I caught myself and regained my focus quickly just in time to check him out from head to toe without being obvious. He wore a well-tailored, ash blue suit, custom made, I’m sure. The material was of excellence and so was the stitch work. Under his jacket, he wore a light, smoky baby blue shirt that was missing a tie and had the first three buttons open, exposing a bit of his neckline. His shoes were a mixture of ostrich skin and what appear to be soft baby calf leather and another skin I couldn’t decipher. Damn! I thought… his shoes looked as if it cost my whole entire wardrobe collection. He smelled divine. Without skipping a beat, I replied to his question.  “Sure, I have a little time. Jaz, do you mind?”

I turned to look at Jaz who was already prompted and ready to go.

“Yup!” she stated.

That’s my girl, I thought. I can always count on my ace to be down when need be.

He gently held my hand and beckoned for us to follow him. Through the crowd and back into the now emptying dining hall we went. He led us to a quiet corner where he proceeded to properly introduce himself.

EXCERPT 2

We stood outside the door bidding each other a good night, but neither of us moved. I looked into his face; he was pure perfection. The intense chemistry between us pulled us close without me even noticing it. Our lips touched and fireworks went off inside me. His lips were soft and full. I gently slid my tongue into his mouth and he willingly received it. He slowly cupped my tongue in his and sucked gently. Chills went down my spine. My body shivered as he pulled me into the warmth of his body and clasped me up in his arms. It was beautiful… He was beautiful. After our lips separated, I quickly sucked in a gulp of air. Marcus had officially taken my breath away.

He tenderly caressed my face and, looking deep into my eyes, he said, “Good night.”

I stayed up the rest of the night as I couldn’t sleep. The scenes of the day we spent together played in my mind like a looping video clip.

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B0792656KC

B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-maze-effect-majel-jay/1127960722?ean=9781983975929

BAM:  http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Maze-Effect/Majel-Jay/9781983975929?id=7205747130327

IndieBound:  https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781983975929

Wow! ♥♥♥ Love the steamy tension. This looks like quite a tale!

Thank you for telling us about your book, Majel! I know I can’t wait to read this romance!

Readers, don’t forget to pick up a copy of this awesome book! 🙂 Or you can add it to Goodreads!

Author Bio

I grew up in a big city, where I currently reside with my husband and dogs. I’m an all American girl that enjoys traveling and experimenting with different foods. I love life and believe in enjoying it to the fullest.

My writing was inspired by the way I was brought up. My mother spent a lot of time teaching me how to love myself and others. I wanted to bring this across, in a simple way, to women of all ages. I want all women to know that they are precious, priceless and irreplaceable.

Author Links

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/100197961282853855523

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Majel-Jay/e/B079FYMWFJ

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17627975.Majel_Jay

 

Thanks again, Majel! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!🙂

Free Book!

Hi, readers! I just wanted to pop in here and let you know about a cool giveaway going on today! My latest release and boxed set, Heiresses in Love Trilogy, is available today for free. All you have to do is participate in a quick and easy Q&A to qualify. Woo hoo! 😀

Just head on over to TRR at the link below and scroll down to the correct question in order to enter the giveaway. You’ll need to be registered and logged into the site to play the game. A hint for the Q&A will be provided.

http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php

So, don’t miss out! Plus, you can enter lots of giveaways for other books and prizes every day this month just by answering simple questions.

Have an awesome weekend, and happy reading!!! ♥♥♥

Pre-order Release Feature: Captive by author Jenny Lynn

I am pleased to announce a great new release by Jenny Lynn, an author I met during my journey! Her new adult romantic suspense, Captive, officially went up for pre-order and will be released on March 13th!

That’s awesome! Congrats on your new release!

When a new book comes out, it is always an exciting time for an author!

Jenny is giving us a look at her intriguing new adult romantic suspense, Captive, today.

Great cover!

This is the blurb for Captive:

In the city of sin, who will be saved?

Beckett Carter is the last of his family; the head of Carter Enterprises and a reclusive billionaire living in a luxurious Las Vegas penthouse. Since his parents’ murder, his obsession with justice has steadily grown stronger, leading him to become the masked vigilante known to criminals as the Phantom. When he’s not out playing the part of a filthy rich playboy he trains his body hard, and in his disguise, he brings the criminal underworld to its knees.

Crime reporter Ella James keeps everyone at arm’s length, throwing herself into her work and her quest to find out what happened to her missing sister. She doesn’t let anyone get close enough to her to see how damaged she really is and afraid to trust anyone fully; she has never let a man touch her. While going undercover she puts her life in danger and discovers the secret identity of the Phantom as he ruthlessly eliminates a room full of criminals. This one night sets off a chain of events neither of them expected.

Faced with the threat of being exposed, Beckett is left with only one choice. He takes Ella captive, keeping her in a secret room until he can complete his mission. In Ella, Beckett finds an opponent unlike any he’s met before – she’s smart, resourceful, and worst of all, innocent. The untouched woman locked away in his penthouse is the greatest temptation he has ever faced.

A tense rivalry between the two grows into something so much more than either could have imagined. When Beckett gives in and shows Ella how dark he can be, can she succeed and show him the light?

And here are some teasers to entice you with.

Book Info:

Genre:  Contemporary, New Adult, Romantic Suspense

Release Date:  March 13, 2018

Pre-order Purchase Link:

Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B07B3WN26F

Wow! So steamy. ♥♥♥ This looks like an intriguing read!😉

Thank you for telling us about your book, Jenny! I know we all can’t wait to read this dark romance! 🙂

 

Readers, don’t forget to pre-order a copy of this riveting tale!

 Author Bio

I’m a contemporary romance writer who creates complex characters, exciting plot twists, true love and steamy scenes that keep readers up and night wanting to turn the page. When I’m not writing I’m playing with my toddler son, going on dates with my husband, petting my cat or I’m in a dimly lit lounge sipping wine while I daydream about my next story idea. I have a background in creative writing and have had short stories published in multiple literary magazines.

Author Links

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JennyLynnWriter/

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/jennylynnwriter

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Lynn/e/B0716YVDK3/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16866317.Jenny_Lynn

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jennylynnwriter/

Newsletter:  https://tinyletter.com/booksbyjennylynn

 

Thanks again, Jenny! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!🙂

6 Surprising Ways to Communicate Better With Your Partner: a guest post by Dating Connections

6 Surprising Ways to Communicate Better With Your Partner

 

Good communication is the foundation of any stable relationship. In long-term relationships that are fulfilling and functioning on a day-to-day basis, we often forget to take a step back and treat them like living organisms that they are, ones that could not survive without constant, highly efficient communication. Whether you’re into long-term dating, cowboy dating, casual flings on trips abroad or you’ve settled down with your significant other a long time ago, we bet you’ll find our communication tips useful and adequate in any romantic situation.

Created by Freepik

#1 – Learn A New Skill Together

Take a cooking or a photography class together, learn some Spanish or take a dance lesson. Wherever your interests lie, taking a new class and learning new things together can deepen the bond between you and your partner, and as a result strengthen communication.

Created by Freepik

You’ll spend more time together, and have new topics to discuss as you master a new skill set.

#2 – Share The Small Stuff

Did a bus driver say something funny to you today? Did you see your spouse’s favorite car painted pink with a set of eyelashes? Share the small, insignificant things, and don’t shy away from small talk. Keeping things serious between you two all the time can get pretty tiring, whereas the stuff that doesn’t matter much can brighten the mood and loosen the tension.

Created by Asier_relampagoestudio – Freepik.com

#3 – Listen More Carefully

Listening to your partner attentively is one of the most important things you can do for your relationship. If you want to show your partner you’re all ears when they’re speaking, encourage them to share their thoughts with you, and comment on them, but not by changing the subject to you. Ask questions, add something, and whatever you do, don’t interrupt them or say they’re too scattered, you can’t follow, or they talk about too much unnecessary detail and they’ll get to their point around this time tomorrow.

Created by Kues – Freepik.com

#4 – Talk About Yourself

In addition to small talk, take initiative and talk about your desires, fears and hopes. Don’t take the floor for too long, and do allow your partner to join the conversation or take over if they feel like it, but don’t forget to keep your partner informed about what is going on with you. Often the best way to do this is to go on a low-key date, such as a long walk through town sans any device that could turn your attention away from your partner.

Created by Bearfotos – Freepik.com

#5 – Whisper Into Their Ear

Although this tactic could lead to anything but talking, whispering into your partner’s ear heightens intimacy, and resolves any trust issues that are between you.

Created by Pressfoto – Freepik.com

It shows you’re not afraid of healthy communication and baring your soul to reveal the most private thoughts and feelings. Whispering suggests secrecy, sharing information that is confidential and reserved only for those who are special..

#6 – Ask Questions And Mean It

Ask your partner questions during the time you spend together, and don’t assume you know the answers. A simple “how are you?” followed by a pause can start a conversation even when you go to bed in the evening after a hectic day at work.

Becca Tapert, Unsplash.

Ask it like you mean it, and listen to what your partner has to say. Ask about the things you know he/she finds important, like their hobbies, interests, or things that preoccupy their mind most of the time. Your partner will feel special, and you’ll see your communication reach new heights.

Nice! These are some stellar tips for improving communication with a significant other.

Thank you, Dating Connections, for such great advice! ♥♥♥

Guest Blogger Bio

Dating Connections is a site that offers the opportunity for you to explore a variety of dating tips, previous relationship experiences and interact with other people!

Links

Website:  http://datingconnections.org/

Blog:  http://datingconnections.org/category/blog/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/datingconnections/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BoyanUlv

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/101423157749445118069

 

Thanks again! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

As always, happy reading, everyone! 😉 Have a great week!

Blog Tour Feature: Hell Yeah! Kindle World Tour presented by Sable Hunter

I am pleased to announce a cool book blog tour going on right now, presented by Sable Hunter, an author I met during my journey! She is well known for her ‘Hell Yeah!’ sexy book series, and this time she’s invited a bunch of authors in her circle to participate as part of Hell Yeah! That’s awesome, Sable!

All of the books in this Hell Yeah! Kindle World tour came out on February 19th. When a new book comes out, it is always an exciting time for an author!

About the Hell Yeah Kindle World:

Connected by blood ties and bonds of friendship, the Hell Yeah! world chronicles the lives and loves of a family of Texas men and women, the McCoys, who live by the code of the cowboy. Adventure, unabashed sexual tension and tender intimacy plays out in a saga of stories that offer action and humor, all set in scenic locales from the Hill Country of Texas to the mysterious bayous of Louisiana. The plots of the tales are as varied as our own lives can be, but the world is one where right prevails, love conquers all, and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream.

Sable is presenting us with all six books in the Kindle World tour as well as a bit about each author. But first, let’s hear a little about awesome author Sable Hunter…

Sable Hunter is a New York Times, USA Today bestselling author of over 50 books in 9 series. She writes sexy contemporary stories full of emotion and suspense. Her focus is mainly cowboy and novels set in Louisiana with a hint of the supernatural. Sable writes what she likes to read and enjoys putting her fantasies on paper. Her books are emotional tales where the heroine is faced with challenges. Her aim is to write a story that will make you laugh, cry and swoon. If she can wring those emotions from a reader, she has done her job. Sable resides in Austin, Texas with her two dogs. Passionate about all animals, she has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull to a family of raccoons. For fun, Sable haunts cemeteries and battlefields armed with night-vision cameras and digital recorders hunting proof that love survives beyond the grave. Welcome to her world of magic, alpha heroes, sexy cowboys and hot, steamy to-die-for sex. Step into the shoes of her heroines and escape to places where right prevails, love conquers all and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream.

Website:  http://www.sablehunter.com

So prolific! I’m impressed. 🙂

Now let’s learn more about the Hell Yeah! Kindle World.

Check out the RAFFLECOPTER at the end for a chance to win all kinds of prizes!

 

Empire of Dirt, The da Silva Heirs 3 by Katherine Rhodes

Two broken hearts, one chance to heal. 

Here is the blurb:

Tate Verhoven was broken by an accident that destroyed his legs and his confidence. After a foolish decision, he also lost the woman he loved–to his brother. Feeling betrayed and broken, Tate hides in darkness. Even Cady McCoy is hard pressed to help.
Marcia came to Texas merely to help her sisters, Fatima and Lucy. The Verhovens also need her help after the devastating events of the past weeks. With a heart of stone and steel wall around it, she’s not there to make friends. Designing an expansive plan to help the Verhoven ranch thrive, Marcy is ready to take on the world.
It takes the death of just one head of cattle on a neighboring farm for the accusations of witchcraft and bad juju to start flying. Cady and Lucy are first for the guillotine.
While Tate’s fighting mental illness, superstition, and the mysterious death of cattle around Austin, he’s desperate to find his place again. Taking on the task of proving Cady and Lucy innocent may be exactly what he needs.
To his surprise, the da Silva girls aren’t done with him– or his heart–yet.

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YF1ZP9

Author Bio

Author of erotica, light BDSM erotica and paranormal erotica. Expert in the profundities of bad movies and awful literature. Armed with her Bachelors of English Literature, she has set her mind to writing erotic romances which are kinky, dirty, and fun. A lackadaisical laundry goddess, Katherine resides in Philadelphia with her husband, three cats and a betta named Fishtian Grey.

Website:  https://katherinerhodes.com/

Phatt Farm by Gem Sivad

Here is the blurb.

After twenty years in the military, Eazy Phatt realizes he’s seen it all, done it all, and regretted enough. He retires, planning to stay with family until he decides what to do with his civilian life. He’s thirty-eight and his priority is to find a woman who’ll love him as much as his mom loved his dad. And he’s hoping to do that before he turns thirty-nine.
He soon discovers his mother has invested in a harebrained scheme, capitalizing on the family name. She’s turning the homeplace into a weight loss center. Eazy’s not happy with the new business at all—until the last registered guest arrives accompanied by her dog.
The voluptuous siren is the woman of his dreams. But something has her spooked. She’s on edge, needs to unwind, maybe make a friend. Both she and her dog are watchful, suspicious, guarded. As a battle-scarred veteran, Eazy recognizes a victim of violence. He’s got six weeks to gain her trust and convince her to let him protect her too.
FBI agent Mackenzie Sierra Scott appreciates the irony in her situation. While she recovers from a gunshot wound meant to keep her from testifying against embezzlers, she’s spending six weeks in-hiding at a weight loss center. Her handler probably thinks he’s being cute, knowing she considers dieting stupid. Phatt Farm is going to be six weeks of mindless boredom.
But then again, maybe not. As soon as she meets the resident farmer, Mack thinks of many ways they could burn calories together. When he asks her to help him with farm work as an alternative to a daily regime of yoga, meditation, and pushups, she accepts, picturing hours of gratuitous sex.
Hot body aside, Eazy Phatt is a pain in the neck. Instead of becoming her lover, he turns Mack into a farmhand, keeping her busy from first light till bed. She drives a tractor, stacks hay, picks apples, shucks corn, and somewhere along the way, falls in love. And that all happens before the shooting starts.

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YDYVWC

Author Bio

Gem Sivad writes contemporary women’s fiction as well as historical and paranormal romance.
Occasionally, she ventures out of the writer’s den to meet readers at book signing events.

Website:  http://gemsivad.com/

Love with A Side of Crazy by Tina Susedik

Here is the blurb.

An accountant by day, stripper by night. A sexy physical therapist. A crazed stalker. Will anyone survive?
To afford sending extra money to his parents to help with the care of his invalid brother, Brent Hopkins, an accountant by day, works as a male stripper at night. When a crazed fan pulls him from the stage, his injuries send him for an extended stay at a rehabilitation center. During his months at the center, mysterious angel statues and other gifts begin to appear in his room. A break-in at his apartment leaves him feeling vulnerable. Is he going crazy or does he have a stalker?
Marie Phister, a physical therapist, was at the club the night Brent is yanked to the ground and takes care of him until help arrives. Later, as his physical therapist, she doesn’t let on that she is aware of his identity. As their mutual attraction grows, a stalker threatens their relationship.
Is her stalker and Brent’s, one and the same? Can they solve the mystery before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YT4X9N

Author Bio

Tina is an award-winning and multi-published author in both fiction and non-fiction including military, history, children’s, and romance. Her favorite is romantic mysteries. She also writes as Anita Kidesu.

As a host on Your Book Garden, on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, LLC, she interviews authors in all genres twice a month on Tuesdays.

In her spare time, Tina loves to read, hike, camp, bike, garden, take photographs, and spend time with her five grandchildren.

Website:  http://www.tina-susedik.com/

Falling Hard by D’Ann Lindun

Here is the blurb.

He craves solitude to forget what a woman did to him. She needs one last chance before her career ends. Can a plane crash in the Canadian Rockies show them what really matters?

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YT77F4

Author Bio

Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade, D’Ann Lindun never thought about writing one until many years later when she took a how-to class at her local college. She was hooked! She began writing and never looked back. Romance appeals to her because there’s just something so satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. D’Ann’s particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them. This is probably because she draws inspiration from the area where she lives, Western Colorado, her husband of twenty-nine years and their daughter. Composites of their small farm, herd of horses, five Australian shepherds, a Queensland heeler, eight ducks and cats of every shape and color often show up in her stories!

Website:  http://amzn.to/2BOwAzr

Without You by Rhonda Lee Carver

Here is the blurb.

Even the strongest woman needs a shoulder to lean on…
Mason Sullivan remembers how he felt the day he learned his oldest brother wouldn’t be returning home. Not alive. Swearing he’d help others, he set a plan into motion. Flash forward…Mason has the life he wanted, but when a seductive, slice of heaven from his past comes back to Kerrville, his so-called “wonderful life” will have more holes than Swiss cheese. The only one who can fill the void is the same person who has the risk of flight. Sure, a cowboy has needs, and she certainly does make his head spin, but his heart isn’t immune to the beauty and he could lose her again…
Two things Kiernan Everhart loves most—her son and Double K Ranch. Years ago, she’d left home to pursue her dreams, but the big city wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Always there for her son, she helps him through the challenges of his medical condition, but sometimes even the strongest woman needs a shoulder to lean on. In Kerrville, she has the support of her family…and Mason Sullivan, the cowboy she stole kisses from back in the day. He’s grown into quite the perfect man and his bedside manner, as nurse and gentleman, sure can make a woman remember she’s more than a mother. She’d like to fall, right into his arms, but her priority is her son. And when her ex shows up, hijacking her happiness, all hell will break loose. Kiernan must perform damage control before the people she loves are hurt.
He didn’t plan to fall, but he did, and Mason would do anything to protect Kiernan and her son. He will not only have to face the demons of Kiernan’s past, but find out who is using scare tactics to send her packing. If it’s the last thing he’ll do, he’ll prove to her that he has the perfect place in his heart for her family.

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YTM5XM

Author Bio

Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of romance. She’s emotional, fun-loving, known to be witty (sometimes at the wrong times), cries during touching commercials, and values a good love story…and a hero who loves to get his hands dirty.

By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world and writes beautifully-flawed, broken characters with big hearts that readers can relate to. In the evening, she travels back to reality and becomes the adoring wife and mother to their amazing kids. She’s also homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse, mediocre chef, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins, adventures like the time she rejected a marriage proposal and he swallowed the ring. She wouldn’t give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she’s had her eye on (wishing never hurt anyone).

Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too. Keep reading and she’ll keep writing.

Website:  http://www.rhondaleecarver.com/

The House That Built Me by Melissa Keir

Here is the blurb.

Country’s newest rising star, Mandy Watkins, disappears from the limelight for a while with the help of her good friend. She’s got a lot on her plate and needs some time to figure out who she is.
Travis Perkins loves gardening after teaching at the local high school. He’s determined to leave the world in a better state either through his connections with his students or his garden.
When Mandy lands on Travis’s doorstep, he believes she will be just another of his projects, but what neither of them expect is how much their hearts may change.
Can two people with only the love of an old home find a deep, lasting love? Or will their relationship end like the notes of a country tune?

Purchase Link:

Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B079YDYY61

Author Bio

Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines. In middle school and high school, Melissa used to write sappy love poems and shared them with her friends and still has those poems today! In college her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog.

Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a radio show-movie reviewer, owner for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice – a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature happy endings and is often seen plotting her next story. Melissa loves hearing from readers!

Website:  http://www.melissakeir.com/

Enter the Kindle World tour Rafflecopter for a chance to win a cool prize!

Oh, wow! These books looks great! Cowboys have a certain magic touch, don’t they?

Thank you for telling us about your awesome Hell Yeah! Kindle World book tour, Sable! I know readers can’t wait to get ahold of these tales! 😀 Visit Sable’s website for more info on her books.

Thanks again to Sable and all the talented authors who participated in this project! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!  ♥♥♥ Have a great weekend!

The Fiction Fact on Writing About Love: a guest post by author Khaled Talib

The Fiction Fact on Writing About Love

by Khaled Talib

 

I queried a UK book blogger a while back about the possibility of reviewing my newly released thriller, Gun Kiss. She agreed to read it, but it didn’t turn out well for me. The blogger was abusive in her review of my book, highlighting nothing positive about it. In fact, she even went to the extent of saying that it was not a book she would recommend to anyone. Yet she cared enough to publish the review on her blog, book cover and all. Why bother if you hate it that much?

Of course, I didn’t agree with the reviewer’s unsubstantiated comments even though the blogger was just one of the many reviewers that I had contacted. So, it’s not the end of the world. I am accustomed to receiving criticisms. And just like other authors, I have enjoyed my fair share of positive reviews. Gun Kiss was no exception as it also received praise from some renowned critics.

I could have responded to all her nitpicking, but I didn’t see the need because other reviewers and readers didn’t have problems with them. However, the blogger highlighted something that I felt compelled to write in this article in a counter-attempt to defend my writing. She complained that my protagonist fell in love with the co-protagonist “like instantly” after seeing her once. She added: “Had seen her once, when he rescued her and now he [sic] in love.”

Created by Freepik

If the reviewer had paid more attention to my words, she would have noticed the depth of the story. I had explained the protagonist’s reaction when he first sees the co-protagonist, who happens to be a famous Hollywood movie star despite the circumstances they were both embroiled in. I explained the excitement and infatuation amidst chaos, then later some reflection of thoughts when the protagonist was in a better situation.

But really, what’s the problem with someone falling in love instantly? It’s not unnatural. Must the setting be languid and calm as opposed to a tense backdrop? I knew someone who fell in love with his wife instantly at university, then proposed to her after two weeks. I also know cases of men who got married within a day’s notice. Hell, I also read a newspaper article where a couple fell in love when they met at a funeral! Some people might fall in love slowly, but it can be lightning speed for others. What has time got to do with falling in love?

The one thing authors learn about the craft of novel writing is that the story must sound believable. It must sound real. To do that, all writers know that they must control their imagination while injecting information or facts that sound realistic albeit in the realm of fiction. While writing Gun Kiss, I didn’t stray from the lessons I’ve learned. I did no wrong in creating scenes where the protagonist expressed his love for the co-protagonist. In fact, I wrote those scenes reinforced by fact.

It was reported in the media that scientists claimed it takes only 8.2 seconds for a man to fall in love at first sight. Imagine that! Based on a study, they discovered that the longer a man’s gaze rests on a woman when they meet for the first time, the more interested he becomes. The report highlighted that if it lasts just four seconds, the person may not be all that impressed. But if it breaks the 8.2 second barrier, he could already be in love. There you go… I didn’t embellish my story. I was not even lazy in my description and I certainly did not go out of my way to produce the unbelievable. I wrote the novel based on possibilities by simply translating fact into fiction, according to acceptable standards. Now had I written a supernatural work of fiction, that would be an entirely different story. You could fall in love in two seconds by taking a pill or some injection in the world of science fiction.

Created by Teksomolika – Freepik.com

I am not an expert in behavioral science, but I am aware that nobody on this planet, not even book bloggers, have answers about what causes men and women to relate to each other. Rumi can talk about love, but he for sure knows Jack shit how it works. So, who is to tell me why my protagonist can’t fall in love the first time he sees the movie star?

I am not about to delve into this crazy topic of love; it has been written a gazillion times. I cannot add any new theories to it. But I don’t think I was wrong in describing my male protagonist’s reaction. The story was intended to be that way. As a storyteller, I am entitled to write however I want the story to be so long as it doesn’t appear unfocused.

Stories with love themes have been written before I was even born. So many different angles, plots and themes have been taken. Some have been rehashed and recycled. All I did was to put a fresh spin as they were intended to be.

You might agree with me or you might not, depending on your own personal experiences and observations of other people. All I know is this: when it comes to love, 1+1 doesn’t always equal 2. And that, my friend, is a fact…

Wow! Thank you, Khaled, for giving us a peek into your writing world and showing us a different spin on relationships. You are so right. Love is quite complicated, its intricacies oftentimes inexplicable. My fiancé claims he fell in love with me right away, but was hesitant to admit it for a while until he was sure we were a perfect fit. For myself, being both a romance reader and author, I have no doubt that people can fall in love quickly. After all, this is the I LOVE ROMANCE BLOG, right? 😉

Well, readers, shall we take a peek at this romantic thriller? Sounds like a plan!  😀

Great cover!  🙂

This is the blurb for Gun Kiss:

A stolen piece of history, an abducted actress and international intrigue…

When the Deringer pistol that shot Abraham Lincoln is stolen and ends up in the hands of a Russian military general, covert agent Blake Deco is tasked by the FBI to head to the Balkans to recover the historical weapon. Meanwhile, the United States media is abuzz with news of the mysterious disappearance of Hollywood movie star, Goldie St. Helen.

After Blake’s return from overseas, he receives a tip from a Mexican friend that a drug lord, obsessed with the beautiful actress, is holding her captive in Tijuana. With the help of a reluctant army friend, Blake mounts a daring rescue. What he doesn’t expect is to have feelings for Goldie—or that a killer is hunting them.

What are people saying about this book?

“From Washington, D.C. to Hollywood and Veracruz, Gun Kiss by Khaled Talib is a terrific adventure involving the FBI, drug lords, movie stars, and Russian generals. Grab your copy, drop into your favorite reading chair, and prepare yourself for breathless suspense.” — Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of The Assassins

“Gun Kiss is a whip-smart thriller that brings to mind Don Winslow’s masterful work that includes, most recently, The Force. Khaled Talib rockets to the top of the pop culture pack with a tale in which every page is chock full of angst-riddled action and searing suspense. Gun Kiss manages to be hot and cool at the same time, a genre bender that breaks a host of rules while crafting new ones in their place. Featuring both a classic man-of-mystery hero and an equally classic femme fatale, this is reading entertainment of the highest order.” — Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author of The Rising

“Take a deep breath, because Gun Kiss‘s special brand of high-octane action is on its way to market, and it’s a hell of a ride especially recommended for thriller readers who like their action not only nonstop, but tempered with a bit of romance and a lot of world-hopping political confrontations…with a range of subplots designed to keep Gun Kiss unpredictable, unexpected, and sometimes unsettling as events keep on creating new connections and surprises…Readers experience a supercharged plot that grabs interest tightly and does not let go. The mark of a superior thriller lies in its ability to seamlessly transcend borders, boundaries, and special interests to provide a series of interwoven subplots that all come together in a satisfying crescendo of intrigue designed to keep readers on edge right up to the end. Take a deep breath before reading Gun Kiss. Its special brand of activity and complex personal and criminal interactions makes it hard to put down, and highly recommended for thriller and crime readers alike.” — Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Talib’s wisecracking hero in Gun Kiss propels readers on an unforgettable ride across several continents. This blockbuster thriller offers the perfect mix of elements to satisfy any reader, including the quest for historic artifacts, a fierce battle against drug lords, and a memorable romance with a Hollywood starlet. Add it to your must-read list.” —K.J. Howe, author of The Freedom Broker

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B077GF1Z67

 

♥♥♥ Nice! This looks like quite a riveting romantic read! 

Thanks for stopping by with your fascinating guest post, Khaled! Awesome to have you here! ♥

Author Bio

Khaled Talib is the author of Gun Kiss, a thriller published in December 2017 by Imajin Books in Canada. He is a former magazine journalist and public relations practitioner. His articles have been published and syndicated to newspapers worldwide, and his short stories have appeared in literary journals and magazines. The author’s debut thriller, Smokescreen, was listed by Indie Reader as one of the six “boundary breaking” indie novels while his second novel, Incognito, won the 2017 AuthorsDB Silver Award for its cover. Khaled is a member of the International Thriller Writers.

Author Links

Website:  www.khaledtalibthriller.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/khaled.talib/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KhaledTalib

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Khaled-Talib/e/B00DYPSB72/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6940359.Khaled_Talib

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/khaledtalibbooks/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/khaledtalib/

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KhaledTalib

 

Thanks again, Khaled! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

Happy reading, everyone!🙂